For Fisichella, Verstappen is on the same level as Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher won five consecutive world championships from 2000 to 2004 in what was an unprecedented era of success for Ferrari. On the other hand, Max Verstappen won his second title last year with a record-breaking 15 victories out of 22 races.

If Red Bull’s driver still has a long way to go to equal the records set by the “Red Baron” at the end of his illustrious career, Verstappen is already well on his way to being ranked among the greats of Formula 1, with two world titles, 80 podium finishes (equaling Senna in the process), and 38 race victories to his name after stepping onto the top step in Miami on Sunday.

Very few mistakes were made

Giancarlo Fisichella, who ended his Formula 1 career behind the wheel of a Ferrari, believes that Verstappen’s long contract with the currently dominant Red Bull team is preparing him for even greater success in the future. A warning to the rest of the pack who will have to defeat him in the coming seasons.

« I raced against Schumacher when he was winning everything with Ferrari, and I think there was no one as strong as Michael in race management. He remains the number one to this day. But if we talk about driving talent, Max Verstappen is at the same level », said Fisichella. « I’m afraid Max is destined to dominate for a long time if the partnership with Red Bull remains as strong. In the beginning, he would make mistakes due to his inexperience, but today he hardly makes any mistakes anymore. »

The triple winner of Grand Prix in Formula 1 ensures that Verstappen has acquired an incredible consistency in his performances, eliminating his weaknesses. He is strong on wet, dry, in qualifying and in the race. He is complete.

A champion’s temperament

Fisichella does not hesitate to praise Max Verstappen, regarding his precocity, affirming that he is ahead of past greats. Another former Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa, believes that Verstappen is currently showing that he is the best driver with the fastest car in Formula 1.

But besides that, the winner of 11 races believes that it’s the Red Bull driver’s temperament that helps him stand out from the others: « He is solely focused on the race, without any other distractions. If he could, he would be in the simulator or on the track 24 hours a day. He has a lot to say within the team, everyone follows him and is on his side », added Massa. « It’s even difficult to think that the limitations of the wind tunnel could harm their performance this year. »

Indeed, Red Bull received a 10% penalty on their wind tunnel time from the FIA this season for exceeding the budget cap in 2022.

Verstappen is currently leading the Drivers’ World Championship this season with a 14-point lead over his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez, after five races.